CNN’s Anthony Bourdain dead at 61, reaction rolls in over another shocking suicide

Anthony Bourdain, an award-winning chef, author and television host, has died at 61 years old from an apparent suicide.

(Photo by Mike Pont/WireImage)

Bourdain was in France working on an episode of his CNN series, according to the network. Eric Ripert, a French chef and close friend of Bourdain’s found him unresponsive in his hotel room Friday morning, according to CNN.

(Photo by Owen Hoffmann/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)

CNN confirmed Bourdain’s death on Friday and released a statement on the “Parts Unknown” host.

“It is with extraordinary sadness we can confirm the death of our friend and colleague, Anthony Bourdain,” the network said in a statement Friday morning. “His love of great adventure, new friends, fine food and drink and the remarkable stories of the world made him a unique storyteller. His talents never ceased to amaze us and we will miss him very much. Our thoughts and prayers are with his daughter and family at this incredibly difficult time.”

The news comes on the heels of the death of designer Kate Spade earlier this week, also due to suicide.

Suicide rates increased by 25 percent across the U.S. over almost two decades ending in 2016, according to a survey published Thursday by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

According to CNN:

Bourdain was a master of his crafts — first in the kitchen and then in the media. Through his TV shows and books, he explored the human condition and helped audiences think differently about food, travel and themselves. He advocated for marginalized populations and campaigned for safer working conditions for restaurant staffs.
Along the way, he received practically every award the industry has to offer.
In 2013, Peabody Award judges honored Bourdain and “Parts Unknown” for “expanding our palates and horizons in equal measure.”

The celebrity chef shot to fame in 2000 with a best-selling book called Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly.

(Photo by Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images)

Bourdain had hosted “A Cook’s Tour” on the Food Network in 2002 before moving on to “Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations” on the Travel Channel, a highly-praised show which earned him two Emmy Awards and more than a dozen nominations.

(Photo by Mark Davis/Getty Images)

Season eleven of “Parts Unknown” premiered on CNN last month.

How to get help: Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

Reaction to the shocking news came in quickly:

Nooooo! Anthony Bourdain noooo! All these people with fame and money killing themselves. Everyone wants to be rich & famous but they don’t know what it’s like. I’ve had very little fame & money and I’ve felt sadness at times but nothing like this. Be careful what you wish for 🙁

Anthony Bourdain. Kate Spade. People who aren't famous. Suicide rates are up 25% in the past decade. If you need help or know someone who does: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 800-273-8255Available 24 hours everyday

Staggeringly sad news about Anthony Bourdain. May he rest in peace. The fact that he seemed to live such a fulll life is a tragic reminder that nobody is immune from the effects of mental health. Seek help if you need it, seek support. It gets better and you are not alone.

Just talked to the head of @NAMIMinnesota in the wake of deaths by suicide of Anthony Bourdain and Kate Spade this week and those shocking increases in suicide rates across the U.S and Mn. She reminds us to text MN to 741741 if you or someone you love needs help.